When to visit Akureyri without the crowds
Akureyri (Iceland) is calmest in January, February, March, April, May, October, November and December: fewer people and better prices. It gets busiest in July and August. Below is every month with crowds, temperatures and festivals. Careful with January, November and December: the calm has a reason (see the seasonal heads-ups).
Best months
Sep & Feb–Mar
When everyone heads home
The second week of September.
Tip
In winter there is skiing at Hlíðarfjall and auroras minutes from town.
Month by month
| Month | Crowds | Avg. high | Festivals & holidays |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 1/5 · calm ⚠ ✦ | 1 °C (33 °F) | New Year's Day |
| February | 1/5 · calm ✦ | 2 °C (35 °F) | |
| March | 2/5 · calm ✦ | 2 °C (35 °F) | Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, +1 |
| April | 2/5 · calm ✦ | 5 °C (40 °F) | First Day of Summer |
| May | 2/5 · calm | 9 °C (48 °F) | May Day, Ascension Day, Pentecost, +1 |
| June | 3/5 · moderate | 13 °C (55 °F) | Icelandic National Day |
| July | 4/5 · busy | 15 °C (59 °F) | |
| August | 4/5 · busy | 14 °C (58 °F) | Merchants' weekend, Verslunarmannahelgi (early Aug), Commerce Day |
| September | 3/5 · moderate ✦ | 11 °C (52 °F) | |
| October | 2/5 · calm ✦ | 6 °C (42 °F) | |
| November | 2/5 · calm ⚠ ✦ | 2 °C (36 °F) | |
| December | 2/5 · calm ⚠ ✦ | 1 °C (34 °F) | Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, St. Stephen's Day, +1 |
⚠ = seasonal heads-up. ✦ = something special to see.
Before you go: seasonal heads-ups
- Few hours of daylight (4–5 h in December) and storms that close roads: check road.is.
What to see, and when
- Northern lights (Sep–Apr), on dark, clear nights.
Crowds are a relative index for each place: 1 is its calmest month and 5 its busiest. Temperatures: Copernicus ERA5, 2016–2025 average. Includes official tourism statistics (Eurostat, all of Iceland, 2022,2023,2025). How it works
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Akureyri without the crowds?
The calmest month is usually January and February (crowds 1/5). In February the average high is 2 °C (35 °F). All the calm months: January, February, March, April, May, October, November and December.
When is Akureyri most crowded?
The busiest season is July and August. The second week of September.
What is the weather like in Akureyri?
Average highs range from 1 °C (33 °F) in January to 15 °C (59 °F) in July, from Copernicus ERA5 (2016–2025).
What should I know before going to Akureyri?
Few hours of daylight (4–5 h in December) and storms that close roads: check road.is.
What is there to see in Akureyri by season?
Northern lights (Sep–Apr), on dark, clear nights.
What festivals are there in Akureyri?
The main ones: Merchants' weekend, Verslunarmannahelgi (early Aug) (August).
More places in Iceland
- Reykjavík calm in January, February, March, April, May, September, October, November and December; busiest in July and August
- Vík calm in January, February, March, April, May, October, November and December; busiest in July and August
- Húsavík calm in January, February, March, April, October, November and December; busiest in June, July and August
- Höfn & Jökulsárlón calm in January, February, March, April, October, November and December; busiest in July and August
- Stykkishólmur (Snæfellsnes) calm in January, February, March, April, October, November and December; busiest in July and August
- Ísafjörður calm in January, February, March, April, May, October, November and December; busiest in July and August
- Egilsstaðir & Seyðisfjörður calm in January, February, March, April, May, October, November and December; busiest in July and August
- Mývatn calm in January, February, March, April, May, October, November and December; busiest in July and August